June 15, 2017 
Rice Fire
FINAL Fire Update – 06/15/17 – 1:30 pm – Firefighters were successful in containing the Rice Fire at a final size of 1/4 acre. One engine and 4 firefighters remain assigned to this incident. They will complete mop-up operations within the next day or two.
THIS IS THE FINAL UPDATE FOR THE RICE FIRE, UNLESS THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO REPORT.
Regarding smoke, in the event of a prescribed fire or wildfire: If visibility becomes lower because of smoke, please visit the NM Department of Health’s smoke page: https://nmtracking.org/fire
PIO: Loretta Benavidez, llbenavidez@fs.fed.us 575-430-5546
Previous Updates:
Fire Update – 06/14/17 – 5:00 am – Firefighters were successful in holding the Rice Fire at 1/4 acre and have completed 75% containment of the fire. They’re working on full containment and mopping up interior pockets of heavy dead and down fuel (logs and stumps). One engine and 4 firefighters remain assigned to this incident.
Fire Update – 06/13/17 1:15 pm – One engine and 4 firefighters remain assigned to the Rice Fire. They were able to construct a fireline around most of the fire last night and it (fireline) held through the night. Today, they are continuing to work on containment of the fire.
INITIAL FIRE UPDATE: 06/12/17 6:00 pm
Jurisdiction: Lincoln National Forest, Sacramento Ranger District
Date/Time Detected: 06/12/17 4:04 pm
Location: Approximately 3 miles northeast of Sunspot, just off of NM Highway 6563 (Sunspot Highway)
Lat/Long: 32 deg, 49 min, 21.79 sec X 105 deg, 48 min, 0.01 sec
Legal Description: T17S, R11E, SWSW Sec 14
Firefighting Resources: One engine with 4 firefighters.
Values at Risk: None
Hazards: Hazard Trees/Snags
Fuels: Mixed conifer
Size: ¼ acre
Containment: 0%
Cause: Lightning
Status: One engine with 4 firefighters responded to the Rice Fire shortly after it was reported. Fire personnel are currently working on containing the fire. The fire behavior is described as minimal and creeping with 1 – 2 inch flame lengths.
NM Fire Info 
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